The Origins of Babylon
Gui Bodi, Eric Knight, Ramon Blanco | Disciples Of Babylon
If I recall it was the spring of 2012, a typical day for me. Up until this point in my life I was a solo artist for many years now. I was trying to make my mark in the LA music scene for a few years now. I had originally moved here a few years earlier from Miami.
On this particular spring day, I was doing what many people do when they have a few brief moments of time on their hands, scroll through their Facebook feed. While I was aimlessly thumbing through posts from people in my network there was a particular post caught my attention.
It caught my attention initially because I had run into this guy just a couple of weeks earlier at an event in town. It turns out we both went to the same music school in Hollywood, Musicians Institute or MI for short. It was an alumni event and it was really brief, I introduced myself to him he to me and that was that. Anyway, I digress, back to Facebook. As I was scrolling through my feed I came across this guy again, it turns out we were Facebook friends, more like Facebook acquaintances to be exact.
He had just posted a video of himself doing a guitar solo from the band Alter Bridge and their classic “Blackbird”. I remember sitting there stunned for a moment. I was so impressed by this guys playing. I mean he had the look and definitely the feel in his playing that was just undeniable.
I had played in another band back home in Miami that became quite popular and I had missed what it was like playing in a band and the camaraderie within the structure of the band particularly the “all for one, one for all” motto. I mean after the band broke up I took it very hard and was one of the main reasons why I became a solo artist, but I had always had my heart set on starting another band if the opportunity arose.
So over the years I just kept playing it over in my mind what would be the ultimate band if I had the chance to do it again. What were the lessons I learned from the last time. I’d be able to avoid all the mistakes I made the first time around, etc. I tend to be a very impulsive person, I had this feeling that came over me, that sinking feeling that you have when you are going down on a roller coaster. It felt so overwhelming like I knew I had to call this guy up immediately and start the project right then and there.
At that very moment, I stopped watching the video and started to write him a message on Facebook. It basically said that I just finished watching his video and was very impressed by it and that I had wanted to speak to him regarding a project that I was working on putting together and would he like to meet up to discuss it further. He responded a few hours after saying yes, we set a date to meet up.
We ended up meeting up a few days later at the Starbucks on Hollywood Boulevard to discuss the project in more detail. I explained to him that I wanted to create the biggest band in the world. I wanted to get back to the BIG Rock show and write songs that the audience would sing right back to us. We discussed our various musical influences such as: Muse, Foo Fighters, 30 Seconds to Mars, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, etc. and we found out pretty quickly that although we came from different parts of the world our common thread was to create something original and that was our own which is why we came here to Los Angeles in the first place.
We agreed to set up a day to get together for a writing session to see how things would go. I already knew even before walking into that room with him to write music that it was going to be magical. I don’t know what it was, call it intuition but I already knew there would be amazing chemistry there.
Sure enough the day came and we hit the ground running. On that very first day we ended up writing what would become our song “Arrived” from our debut EP ‘Welcome to Babylon’. It came together exactly the way I thought it would. It was very fast and flowed very easily for us. We knew at that moment that we had something very special beginning to happen. The rest as they say is history.
But perhaps even more importantly than all of that, it’s YOU, the listener, that makes all of it matter, the reason why we do this. We look forward to many more sometimes-hard, sometimes-ugly, always-worthwhile experiences along this musical journey. Here’s to hoping that you are part of that journey with us.
If you’d like to hear the most recent milestone of our journey, click here to listen our most recent album just released, ‘The Rise and Fall of Babylon’.
If you’d like to watch our original series ‘The Story of Babylon’ and get to know who we are, click here to watch ‘The Story of Babylon’.
Welcome to the family. Welcome to Babylon! Eric, Ramon, Gui & Chris DOB
I like your music a lot
I heard your EP yesterday
You are very nice to share your music with me
Karma is my favorite song
Kisses Isabela
Thank you Isabela, we really appreciate it. DOB
Hi Isabela,
Thank you so much for your kind words and of course you are very welcome. We’re glad that you are enjoying Karma. Hugs from Babylon! DOB
I loved listening to your ep you sent me arrived is my favourite song can’t wait to buy your album x
Hi Clare, thank you so much for listening and we are so glad that you are enjoying the music. We’re very excited to hear what you think of the new album when you get it so please let us know as soon as you do. Welcome to the family Clare. Welcome to Babylon, DOB
Listened to th ep. I love it. Karma really rocks. Its my new favorite song. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.
Hi Melissa, Wow we’re so happy you are enjoying the EP and we appreciate you taking the time to send us a message. Yes we are very excited for the future. Don’t forget check out our new album that just came out entitled, “The Rise and Fall of Babylon” we’re very proud of that record. Thanks again and please keep in touch with us. Cheers from Babylon! DOB
Songs are amazing
I like it
Great Music. Great attitude.
Very positive way to share your music, and I’m glad you guys reached out to me.
Will continue to support DOB.
Rock on!!
Hey Navid! Thanks so much for writing in to us with the kind words, we are incredibly honored. Welcome to the family. Welcome to Babylon! DOB
Just add the rise and fall of babylon on aapple music thanks bros
Hi Doug! Thanks so much for your kind words to us, we really appreciate it. Cheers from Babylon! DOB
Hi!! I really like your EP! You guys are amazing!! Congrats! 😙
Hi Gaby! Thanks so much for the kind words. We’re so happy that you are enjoying it. Cheers from Babylon! DOB
Damn, I love it guys. Thanks for all :3
Thanks so much Noemie. We really appreciate it so much. Please spread the word. Cheers from Babylon! DOB
Love your music!! You guys are great!! Keep it up!! And as Casey kasem said, “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” xo
Thanks so much Angel for the amazing words, we really appreciate it so much. Welcome to our family. Welcome to Babylon! DOB
Thank you guys so much. Been a fan forever and a proud member of the babylonarmy but haven’t been able to afford to buy anything. What a wonderful gift to us all. Keep rockin . And keep showing the world how awesome you all are. Jodi
We love you Jodi. Thanks as always for your amazing support of us. Hugs from Babylon! DOB
Great tunes! Love the energy! Keep it going boys
Hi Sean! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your comment, we really appreciate it. Welcome to the family. Welcome to Babylon. Cheers DOB
Very cool of you guys to share your music and be so involved with the fan base. Wishing you all the best on your journey and keep up the amazing work!
Absolutely Julia! We’re all about you! Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts with us. Hugs from Babylon! DOB
When something is done with the soul, it is always heard. Do not stop there, especially since you have the potential. Your “karma” will lead you in the right direction. I believe that.
Thanks so much, we really appreciate all of the positive and inspiring words. Cheers from Babylon! DOB